Q&A Scene: Mihka Chee

Tell us about your new single and upcoming tour ? 
‘I Was Better’ is the first single from my new EP that I recorded last year. It’s a breakup song that doesn’t take itself too seriously. I’m launching the single at The Record Crate in Glebe, playing with a full band for the first time.   
 
What’s your favourite work at this point in time? 
We’re having our third ever band practice today and my favourite song changes each practice. It’s so different playing with a group because the guys bring so much of their own creativity to everything. I just sent them a new song yesterday so that will probably be my favourite today, it’s called ‘Mess’ at this stage (working title). 
 
Tell us a quick, on the road or studio, anecdote.   
When I was mixing the EP with Oscar Dawson, we also re-recorded some of the vocal tracks and he was telling me to relax on the enunciation of certain words so that it would sound more natural. He kept saying, “just be more shit” which was just really funny – it’s not often you’re directed to be not as good.
 
What, or who, inspires you?
When I see any musician who is so obviously true to themselves and has really found their voice, I’m inspired by that conviction.    
 
Which song do you wish you wrote?  
‘Lover, You Should Have Come Over’ by Jeff Buckley  
 
What’s next for you?
Releasing the EP and then writing and recording the next one.     
 
What’s your scene?
Netflix and chilling with my favourite person.

NZ multi-instrumentalist Mihka Chee releases debut single, ‘I Was Better’ featuring burlesque and string section at Record Crate, Sydney Launch. A tongue-in-cheek breakup song about forcing the past to stay where it belongs, ‘I Was Better’ is the debut single from NZ multi-instrumentalist Mihka Chee. An ode to getting off the couch, putting the ice cream down and switching off the rom-com, this track blends 60s girl group harmonies with bright surf pop riffs.

Hailing from the land of the long white cloud, Mihka now resides on Sydney’s northern beaches where she’s been nutting away at her upcoming EP, ‘Both’; a melange of pretty and personal indie pop with tiger-sharp teeth. ‘Both’ was recorded over five days at Housefox Studios with Ryan Miller (Black Rheno) producing and Oscar Dawson from Holy Holy (Ali Barter, Alex Lahey) mixing. ‘I Was Better’ is the first taste of the forthcoming 5-track EP.

In addition to a set at Housefox Fest, 22nd April amongst 16 other local and interstate acts, the ‘I Was Better’ single launch show will be held at The Record Crate, Glebe on 29th April, including a special 60s-themed opening performance from burlesque artist, Rosie Rivette, and live orchestral strings.

Mihka is a self-described music nerd from way back; she attended her first music lesson when she was a day old as her Mum bundled her along to one of her sister’s violin lessons, and happily spent much of her teenage years in smelly band rooms. Launching her solo project in late 2015, Chee has since acquired a strong local following, including at the fabled Newtown Social Club, and with a killer monthly residency in Manly.

Mihka Chee releases ‘I Was Better’ single independently via iTunes, e-stores and streaming platforms worldwide on Friday 28th April.

UPCOMING SHOWS:

Saturday 22nd April 2017 – Housefox Fest, Sydney NSW

Saturday 29th April 2017 – The Record Crate, Glebe, Sydney NSW

MIHKA CHEE ONLINE: 

www.mihkachee.com
www.facebook.com/mihkacheemusic
Instagram: @mihkacheemusic

About Mary Boukouvalas 1645 Articles
Mary is a photographer and a writer, specialising in music. She runs Rocklust.com where she endeavours to capture the passion of music in her photos whether it's live music photography, promotional band photos or portraits. She has photographed The Rolling Stones, KISS, Iggy Pop, AC/DC, Patti Smith, Joe Strummer, PULP, The Cult, The Damned, The Cure, Ian Brown, Interpol, MUDHONEY, The MELVINS, The Living End, Foo Fighters, Smashing Pumpkins, Rage Against The Machine, The Stone Roses –just to name a few - in Australia, USA, Europe and the Middle East. Her work has been published in Beat magazine, Rolling Stone magazine, Triple J magazine, The Age Newspaper, The Herald Sun, The Australian, Neos Kosmos, blistering.com, theaureview.com, noise11.com, music-news.com. She has a permanent photographic exhibition at The Corner Hotel in Richmond, Victoria Australia.